Being a police officer, you need to always be prepared for tough situations. He was grateful he came into law enforcement a little older (30 years old) and from a social service background. Home; Command/HQ; I Love/Hate Being a Cop. List of the Advantages of Being a Police Officer. Often, that sacrifice starts with your wallet. Cynicism is rampant at this stage as well as feelings of helplessness and frustration. After receiving homophobic abuse at a UK airport, I was faced with dismissiveness, disinterest and victim-blaming from the police. Get a life, all of you. Viking Electronics Delivers a High-Powered Amplifier for Unicast and Multicast Paging, Mass. Also if you answer could you please state what part of the uk you are from. "I grew up watching the Andy Griffith Show and the common sense displayed and how often Sheriff Taylor could help folks was my motivation," says a 24-year veteran of a suburban Maryland department. The other thing is, it's only the bad stuff that's ever reported. It will just be a case of that police officer digging their heels in deeper and conducting himself stronger in the direction of what a police officer ultimately does when he is faced with adversity, awkwardness, threats or difficulty. Right before graduation from the police academy, when Chicago police officers get their stars and are granted police powers, they swear an oath to defend the Constitution. The seemingly simple addition of carrying a firearm can completely change every situation you're in, regardless of whether you use it or not. A 14-year veteran of a suburban Illinois department states his motivation, "It was the desire to help people and be 'the good guy' who protected society. It's a fascinating way of seeing life through a cop's eyes. A key witness in a legal fight to free a man who spent more than 40 years in prison for killing a tourist at a North Miami Beach motel was found shot dead in his red pickup truck near his West Perrine boarding home Monday. "That had already tempered any unrealistic romantic notions about human nature," he explains. Continue to pursue personal interests, participate in hobbies and have friends away from the police department. 34 Chicago Police Officers to Help Keep Washington Safe on Inauguration Day. The Police Service is one of the most respected and trusted organisations in the UK. Being a police officer can be a rewarding job with many benefits, but it also comes with lots of challenges. r/talesfromthesquadcar has some of the best stories on reddit. Most of the British police ranks that exist today were chosen by Home Secretary Sir Robert Peel, the founder of the Metropolitan Police, enacted under the Metropolitan Police Act 1829. Focusing on retirement becomes a theme as well. bad points? 24 Secrets British Police Officers Will Never Tell You. Two Putnam County deputies were seriously injured Tuesday night when they collided with each other on Florida 20 near Hollister, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Now he or she is intent on just doing their best to "maintain order and hold the line". That said, the subreddit r/ProtectAndServe is relatively open in my experience. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Try to hold on to a positive view of your work and you can leave a legacy that makes you proud whatever the phase of your career. "The only thing I wish knew before I began working in law enforcement was the extraordinarily long hours and moving around the country, losing the family support system each time we moved," explains a veteran FBI agent. Well, I may not have my name in a history book somewhere for all time, but I made a difference. A woman was arrested early Tuesday morning after she allegedly robbed a fast food restaurant in Kansas. I could only answer calls as fast as I could and hope I'd get a chance to eat dinner.". It's been said a few times in other places, but compared to other metasphere subs r/bestof are really bad for brigading subreddits and completely derailing discussion. (Possible exceptions would be paramedic, firefighter, ER staff in a major city. Also, they have a fairly strong share of upvotes. The relationships built by police officers are some of the strongest known. Not trying to say that everyone likes the police - plenty of people don't - the but "average" person trusts them implicitly. This results in a general enhanced awareness of their situation at all times. 3) Dealing with Disillusionment This is especially true in love and in police work," says Ellen Kirschman in I Love a Cop. Much of the disillusionment of law enforcement comes from within. How can families help support them? Many people have tried to figure out what makes a good law enforcement officer and what about law enforcement makes it a good occupation. Staying positive is important. However, we would argue that whilst being a police officer, this is one of the most rewarding parts of the job. When asked how the reality of the streets changed his motivation, he replied, "The old police saying of police work is 7 hours and 50 minutes of sheer boredom followed by 10 minutes of pure terror. Helping People This is especially true in love and in police work. I love my job, I love feeling like my life will be worth something to furthering our species by helping to keep society together. (Slager is scheduled to go to trial for first-degree murder in October after being released on $500,000 bail in January.) I learned more about people and humanity than most will ever learn from a lifetime in “normal” jobs. "You have to realistically know that most civilians hate you (unless you save their lives)," adds the Texas veteran. The final phase, officers who weather the disillusionment stage often find themselves at a crossroads where they need to find a way to renew their interests at work and at home. His determination started before that. I saw a guy swinging a chain around in a fight and all of a sudden I see a cop round the corner full sprint and superman tackle this guy - no thought for bodily harm. I have done this on the inside as an officer, and on the outside as a civilian, campaigner and writer. 326. Kirschman describes, "new officers feel invincible, as though they are fulfilling a kind of hero role - protector; rescuer; powerful, brave defender of justice." edit: as the conspiritards would say, I have been shillded. For context I am a Special Constable, a volunteer police officer with the same powers and equipment as a “regular” Constable. There is no maximum age range for becoming a police officer, but many officers will retire around 60. A final way is to make sure you continue to find other ways to satisfy personal goals. That's just something to chew on as you think about subreddit policy. A West Midlands Police officer will work to tackle rising abuse against footballers and fans after being appointed as the first dedicated hate crime officer in the UK… Between the Pinning on and the Taking off of the Badge. Average salary (a year) £21,000 Starter. If you’re applying for a role as a police officer, then you are almost certain to be asked the question: ‘Why do you want to become a Police Officer?’ The answer to this question will tell the interviewers an enormous amount about you, your motivations for applying, and whether you are the right fit for the job. Okay, the police officer may not see it as power and authority over you at that time. Each police force publishes a list of requirements for serving as a police officer. Man Sentenced for Robbing Gas Station, Attempting to Rob Bank Same Day. I usually think of Americans when I think of assholes with video cameras recording everything. He also adds staying focused on what you can do is helpful. The COVID vaccine shortage has led the NYPD to stop inoculating its members, department paperwork reveals. ", Excitement I deal with people often that I literally HATE their personality type, and the circumstances of our meeting make it so that I CAN'T just walk away....I have a job to do....and 65% of the time that job directly conflicts with what people want to be doing for the rest of the day. The police motto “to serve and protect” gives a basic idea about what the police do. Police officers keep law and order, investigate crime, and support crime prevention. California State Capitol Peaceful and Under Heavy Guard. Cookies help us deliver our Services. Police officers need to be a minimum age of 18 before they can apply to join a police force. Compared to the US (some are good, some are bad) they seemed to be there just to make sure everything was ok. Maybe I had good luck - but I was incredibly impressed with them. It can be appealing to serve your community and protect … In 2015, eight police officers were killed in ambush-style attacks which accounted for just under 20% of police officer deaths that year. Following the deadly insurrection on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, an investigation into extremists within U.S. police agencies is underway. Law enforcement has a long history of being an honorable and valued profession. The very best comments on reddit as submitted by the users of reddit. I am, and this is still pretty accurate. Suspect in Attempted Rape of Woman Who Escaped Biting His Hand Turned in by a Relative in NYPD. good points? All rights reserved. I'm curious as to whether an American officer would have any differences in their response. Butler County Eyeing Cyber Security After Sheriff's Office Malware Attack. While they may differ slightly, at minimum you will need to have lived in the UK for at least 3 years, be of at least 18 years of age, and must not be a part of any hate groups or groups seeking to otherwise destabilise the United Kingdom. The job pays pretty well and the benefits are typically very good, but each day can present—and probably will present—a new challenge. As a Police Officer, you would be responsible for safeguarding the residents of the community that you are policing, and instilling a sense of trust. Almost certainly a result of the bestof attention. Majority of us don't care to be told 'thank you', it's about not being ripped apart or criticized to shit for doing our job and actually saving someone by someone or something that has no clue about anything. Awareness is also key. I just want to state some of the facts about this particular post, so that anyone reading can get a little bit of context via an example. There are going to be 20,000 new police officers in England and Wales, according to the new Prime Minister Boris Johnson. I have also dealt with them twice directly and they were great. That, and the cultural differences, although nowadays that seems to be thinning out. For many years I have fought discrimination and wrongdoing within the police force. The smells. Police remove baby from breastfeeding mum in Byron bushland. "I most likely would have still chosen the career but I would have been better prepared for the challenge.". This week Theresa May accused the Police Federation of crying wolf over the danger that further cuts to policing represent. Being a police officer is not a job; it's a lifestyle choice. If you're looking for a job that's going to let you keep up with the Joneses, you probably want to look elsewhere. Despite the incident being … Looking forward may be the best insurance we have against being blind-sided by the unexpected. Police officer Alternative titles for this job include Policeman, policewoman, police constable. I think that overall the relationship between police officers and public is less adversarial in Europe than in the US (especially areas like LA where you've historically had problems with police violence). If a police officer beats someone up, then it gets massive coverage. Looking forward may be the best insurance we have against being blind-sided by the unexpected. If it wasn't so big it would have been banned a long time ago. I wanted excitement." Ambush attacks on police officers up 62% in 2016. People muttering obscenities when you walk past or are in the middle of arresting a drunk guy that was just fighting in the street. Stress due to internal and external situations beyond their control becomes an increased part of the officer's professional life and this seeps into their personal life as well. 216. Many times, at this stage, officers begin to look for promotional opportunities. "Looking forward may be the best insurance we have against being blind-sided by the unexpected. Even though she believes an officer cannot maintain their original enthusiasm for police work, a 17-year veteran of a metropolitan Texas department states, "One has to do the job simply because one believes that it is 'the right thing to do.'" A Rochester man sentenced nearly eight years in federal prison this week for robbing a gas station and attempting to rob a bank on the same day in Dover last year. 1. I saw a guy swinging a chain around in a fight and all of a sudden I see a cop round the corner full sprint and superman tackle this guy - no thought for bodily harm. Officers face sack after being recorded making 'abhorrent' comments in 'toxic' police unit. True that the original comment is overwhelmingly upvoted, but you can bet that the attention also brought its share of negative attention. "Quite often now, especially in urban areas, being able to help people takes a backseat to call response," says the veteran Maryland officer. 4) Coming to a Crossroad "The crime rates in certain urban areas is so bad that officers go into their shift with a list of calls on hold, waiting for their attention. Do you know where I can find one? Man Accused of Ramming Hillsborough Deputy will Face First Degree Murder Charge, Burke County Receives DOJ Grant to Hire Six Deputies, Child Abuse Reporting Down, Internet Crimes Increase, Hamilton Adding Police Body Cameras After Years of Consideration, Feds Seize Michigan Man Accused of Beating Cop with Hockey Stick During Capitol Riot, Houston Police are Investigating Ranks for Extremism. California's state Capitol remained under heavy guard but peaceful Wednesday morning as authorities continued their extraordinary show of force in downtown Sacramento to thwart any violence on Inauguration Day. The opportunity to assist in rehabilitating people and attempt to turn them away from crime. I never thought people would bother the police with such mundane complaints nor how much time was wasted answering calls over nonsense.". Value 3c) Politics Most are consumed by police work. Realism begins to temper many motivational fantasies. It was insane. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. As a very young child he is reported to have told his family, "I'm going to be a policeman and actually help people." This is the type of job you do if you're afraid of death, because 99% of people afraid of dying are just afraid that their existence is meaningless. I am, however, only a part-timer, and do not work anywhere near as much as a career officer. to. r/bestof has a bit of an ongoing conflict regarding flooding votes and comments within the original thread. There are now a multitude of "two sides to every story" comments responding to the linked comment, most around 30 minutes or so ago. Police officers, after all, are public servants, and public service is largely about sacrifice. So why do people become officers and how do they maintain that fire when the realities of police work sink in? This is the statistic that really proves that police officers are being systematically targeted. As we say "Prepare for the worst, Hope for the best". ... UK lotto winner shares photo of her bizarre bum tattoos on I... 219. Don't carry guns - but that doesn't seem to phase them. I'm looking for an actual career, anyway. Being a police officer is an incredible profession, post-job cynicism aside. An essential part of this phase is consideration of his or her legacy. He added how he wished he had known that "internal politics infect everything" and how "self-serving some people are.". Don't carry guns - but that doesn't seem to phase them. What's it like to be a police officer in the UK? Doing a job with great value is also a dominate motivation. Another motivation for many who enter law enforcement is the desire for excitement. People recording with their phones, but 50 yards away and very politely and respectfully.Criminals that threaten to kill you as soon as you take the handcuffs off, and then some that say thanks to you, wearing your handcuffs, because you let them say goodbye to their girlfriend.Old ladies that call you a fucking asshole for writing them a speeding ticket for going 64 in a 30, and grizzled old men wearing USN veteran ballcaps that say "thank YOU for your service" while holding open the door for you. Probably one of the toughest situations I have ever been through in my life was when I was in a high school visiting, a Man came in to speak to the head master about his child truanting. When you become a police officer, you are joining a fraternal family that is 800,000 strong in the United States, with millions more around the world. I've had all these people and all of the spectrum in between and beyond. Of course some police are going to do bad things, and over-react in situations. Woman Arrested for Armed Robbery at Restaurant. Anyone who has stood with applicants taking the written test, or at the academy on the first day of classes, can attest to the palpable excitement and energy. "People want law enforcement's help but on their terms and they often become angry or contemptuous when our realities confront their expectations," explains the Illinois veteran. But the majority of police officers are good people who work hard to help others, and people like her ought to remember that. No day is the same as a Police Officer. I'm not implying that it's about being put on a pedestal. 2) Settling Down Time adds realism to the idealistic motivations most young officers have and most cause conflict. (except for the hats part, Wearing hats is not all that common in U.S. law enforcement outside of state troopers....whom I would never, ever, recommend taking the hat off of). This is especially true in love and in police … Without this renewal, they will fall into indifference and apathy. In the wake of a breach into the Butler County Sheriff's computer systems, the county is giving attention to cyber security for all of its IT systems. Note that giving a false name is a very serious offence punishable by English law. Unfortunately, this is also the time when the reality of internal politics begins to color his or her experience. As an Angeleno (Los Angeles resident - for those outside the US) who lived in the UK for my MA, I can say the UK police are so good. Although maintaining the idealism of youth is often impossible, law enforcement officers and their families are not doomed to continually having their dreams and initial motivations crushed by life. Without sounding fussy, im really looking for people with experience, either personal experience or experience through family/friends who have been/are in the police. Wait until after your 18th birthday and after you finish high school to be considered for a police program. One of the most reported reasons for joining the police force and one of the motivations attacked by the realities of the job is the desire to help. I've looked all over reddit, but nothing so far. New opportunities present themselves and the authority and responsibilities of wearing a badge become apparent. 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